Patrick Brown Quits Ontario Progressive Conservative Leadership Race

That was fast.

Patrick Brown is giving up his quest to reclaim the leadership of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives.

He confirmed the news on Twitter Monday with a lengthy statement saying he was leaving the race to protect family and friends from "attacks," to avoid being a distraction, and to focus on holding CTV News "accountable" for the story that first caused him to resign as PC leader.

Brown stepped down in late January after two women accused him of sexual misconduct in a CTV News report. He denied the allegations as total fabrications and reportedly filed a notice of libel to CTV last week.

In his statement, Brown said "the lack of journalistic integrity demonstrated by CTV News led to an instant execution without a trial." CTV News stands by its journalism.

Brown said competing in the race would distract him "from continuing to expose the truth and holding CTV accountable for their willingness to allow the level of professional journalism to descend into the realm of tabloid gossip."

It has been gut-wrenching to see my own family in tears, pushed to the edge, even suffering anxiety and panic attacks requiring medical intervention as a result of this experience.Patrick Brown

Brown said in the release that the couple never dated while she briefly worked at Queen's Park for another MPP or travelled together when she worked there. He added it has been "too much of a blow to see someone I love unwillingly exposed and attacked."

Brown also noted that while he entered the race to "finish the job" and stand up to those who wanted him gone, the move has distracted Tories from the goal of beating Kathleen Wynne's Liberal government.

He complimented each of the remaining candidates and asked them to put forward thoughtful policy.

Brown dogged by questions about management

Brown warned supporters last week that party "insiders" were trying to derail his campaign after questions were raised about a $375,000 deal he reportedly discussed with a man who would go on to be acclaimed as a PC candidate. The party's membership numbers under Brown's leadership are also under scrutiny.

PC MPP Randy Hillier asked Ontario's integrity commissioner to look into Brown's personal finances and travel, accusing his former leader of "dirty and crooked politics.'' Brown hit back that Hillier's accusations were "entirely fictional." The ethics watchdog announced Monday, however, that he will investigate the complaint.

Brown's entry into the race was not greeted warmly by the candidates vying for the job: lawyer Caroline Mulroney, former MPP Christine Elliott, former Toronto city councillor Doug Ford and social conservative activist Tanya Granic Allen.

"I know what it means when political involvement takes a toll on the people you care about the most," she said. "Now more than ever, we need to move forward without these distractions. Patrick has done the right thing.